OK, I’m generally not a big believer in things like this, but here we go:
It’s time for some Seattle Seahawks draft grades!
The reason I’m not a believer in draft grades is because neither you, I, Mel Kiper Jr. or Peter King really knows whether any team had a good draft, and none of us will know for several years. Grading is usually based on pre-draft player rankings, and those are far from an exact science. One need only look back at recent Seahawks history and the fact that Seattle was universally panned following its 2012 draft, in large part for picking a 5-foot-11 quarterback named Russell Wilson in the third round. Seven years later we know that draft produced two potential Hall of Famers in Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner, some other solid contributors in defensive end Bruce Irvin, cornerback Jeremy Lane and guard J.R. Sweezy, and people who gave out draft grades that year probably don’t bring their Seahawks grade up very often in casual conversation.
But people love giving out draft grades, so here’s your opportunity.
Seattle ended up making 11 selections in the draft, which took place last Thursday through Saturday. Here they are by day:
Round 1 (29th overall): L.J. Collier, DE, TCU
Round 2 (47): Marquise Blair, S, Utah
Round 2 (64): D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Round 3 (88): Cody Barton, LB, Utah
Round 4 (120): Gary Jennings Jr., WR, West Virginia
Round 4 (124): Phil Haynes, G, Wake Forest
Round 4 (132): Ugo Amadi, CB, Oregon
Round 5 (142): Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington
Round 6 (204): Travis Homer, RB, Miami
Round 6 (209): Demarcus Christmas, DT, Florida State
Round 7 (236): John Ursua, WR, Hawaii
Here’s some things worth noting about what Seattle did in the draft:
- The most notable thing is that from two days prior to the draft until the draft’s conclusion, the Seahawks went from having four selections to 11. It began with the trade of defensive end Frank Clark to Kansas City for a package that included a first rounder. Then general manager John Schneider went on his annual kick of trading down to accumulate picks. So Seattle ended up with far more picks than originally expected.
- Trading Clark left a gaping hole in Seattle’s pass rush. The Seahawks therefore used what ended up being their only first-round pick on a defensive end, though Collier was considered a bit of a reach and is also considered more of an all-purpose defensive end than a pure pass rusher. This was an area of need even before the Clark trade, and Collier was the only defensive end Seattle picked.
- Seattle went big at receiver by selecting three wide outs, including landing a physical freak in Metcalf, who many evaluators considered a steal late in the second round. This also was considered an area of need, and it became more of one when it was revealed during the draft that No. 1 receiver Doug Baldwin could be forced into retirement because of injuries.
- The Seahawks used Day 2 picks on positions that weren’t thought to be areas of need in taking a safety in the second round and a linebacker in the third.
- Seattle got a local favorite when it took Washington Huskies product Burr-Kirven, a player who may not have elite measurables, but certainly had elite production in college.
- There was little action on the offensive line, as Hayes was the only pick. This despite losing starting guard Sweezy in free agency, as well as the uncertainty about starting guard Germain Ifedi’s long-term future as Seattle has yet to pick up the option on his rookie contract.
The national media generally gave Seattle positive grades for its draft, without necessarily being wowed by what the Seahawks did. The number crunchers also said Seattle received good value in the deals where the Seahawks traded down to acquire additional picks.
So what did you think of the Seahawks’ draft? Provide your grade here:
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